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India, China to Fast Track Talks on Boundary Issue

India, China on Boundary Issue
PM Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping discuss boundary issue on the sidelines of the SCO summit

On the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek, Indian PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to pace up talks on the Sino-Indian boundary issue

PM Narendra Modi met President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on Thursday in the Kyrgyzstani capital city of Bishkek.

The two leaders agreed on the need to pace up dialogue regarding the Indo-China boundary dispute. They asserted the need to reach a “fair” and “reasonable” solution.

Affirming the same, Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale recounted the meeting as “substantive in content”. The two leaders agreed on a “constructive” approach in the matter.

Gokhale added, “The two leaders have asked the Special Representatives to meet and carry forward the discussion and have instructed them to expedite the discussion in this regard for achieving a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution.”

In the past, Indo-China bilateral dialogue has often been clouded by boundary tensions. The 73-day Doklam standoff hovered President Jinping and PM Modi’s last meeting in April 2018.  

In November 2018, India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for the 21st Meeting of Special Representatives.

In the coming months, President Jinping is scheduled to visit India for a summit. Given the long-standing Sino-Indian bilateral ties, a viable boundary issue solution is on priority.

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale confirmed, “President Xi Jinping very warmly confirmed his readiness to visit India this year.”

He added, “[President Xi] said he looked forward to discussing all issues from a strategic and long-term perspective and that both sides should begin intensive preparations for the visit.”  

President Xi Jinping asserted that India and China must work on “deepening mutual trust, focusing on cooperation, and accepting differences, so that China-India relations become a more positive asset and positive energy for promoting the development of the two countries.”

Ahead of the 70th anniversary of Indo-China bilateral relations, PM Modi suggested a celebration comprising 70 events.

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